43. Community Museums
Home to some of the oldest settlements in the area, the Grand Strand is a place that is rich not only in natural beauty, but cultural history as well. Luckily, there are several groups of historians in Horry County who have made it their goal to preserve artifacts, tell the stories of earlier local civilizations, and educate others about the area’s past. It’s easy to stay caught up in the present, especially while on vacation, but a trip to the past can sometimes be equally rewarding.
North Myrtle Beach is more than just the home of The Shag Dance. In fact, the area traces its history back over 10,000 years to when the first Native Americans roamed the coastal landscape. The goal of this museum is to provide a place where visitors can learn about what makes this part of Horry County unique, exploring topics such as Early Beginnings, Natural History, Beach Culture, Area History, Shag Dance, and Leisure Activities.
Named after Revolutionary War captain Peter Horry (pronounced O-ree), the county that Myrtle Beach belongs to has a long and storied history. Free and open to the public, this museum features exhibits in natural history, Native Americans, local military artifacts, textiles, beaches, as well as an ever-evolving photograph gallery.
The Living History Farm, an extension of the Horry County Museum, aims to recreate farm life in the area during the period of time from 1900-1955. Among the activities visitors can expect to see and learn about are plowing with mules, soap-making, grits-grinding, cow-milking, and crop-harvesting – all things that can easily be taken for granted in today’s fast-paced world.
This downtown Myrtle Beach museum is a factual and spiritual re-creation of the four-room building that housed African-American students from 1932-1953. In addition to being a place of historic preservation, the museum also serves as a reminder of the school’s essential role during the time of segregation.
As South Carolina’s second-largest port, Georgetown has a rich history in the transportation, trade, and naval industries of the United States. Located on Front Street, visitors of the museum can explore this history through authentic artifacts, photographs, documents, and interactive exhibits. Also, the museum hosts a youth sailing camp for ages 8-14 each summer.
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